MUS 
it might easily be mistaken for the working 
yard of a statuary, or the pleasure ground of 
a tasteless citizen, decked out with Cupids, 
Mercuries, and Fawns.” Both these authors, 
however, agree iu praising the motives and 
perseverance of Le Noir. 
Oxford has the honour of having produc- 
ed the first, and not the least important 
museum in England, which w'as founded m 
1679, and the building completed in 1683, 
at the expense of the university ; the stu- 
dents, the public, and the professors of 
which, are indebted to Elias Ashmole, Esq. 
for an invaluable collection of interesting 
objects presented by him for their use, and 
immediately placed within it ; since which 
period it has been called the Ashmolean 
Museum. The structure, of the Corinthian 
order of architecture, has a magnificent 
portal ; and the variety and value of the 
articles contained in it renders a visit to the 
apartments highly gratifying, particularly as 
they are increased from time to time, and 
as often as rare objects can be procured. 
The British Museum, a repository under 
the immediate care of government, and 
itself governed by fifteen trustees, selected 
from the highest and most honourable 
offices of the state, promises to exceed 
every other national institution which is not 
supported by the casual and unworthy plun- 
der of others. However inferior it may ap- 
pear to those splendid collections which con- 
sist of the most exquisite productions of the 
chissel and the pencil ever accomplished 
by man, we have the consolation to reflect 
that had it been possible to procure them 
by purchase, the liberality of the British 
nation is such, that Italy and many other 
countries would have long since been drain- 
ed ; but as the case is, each inhabitant of 
England may exclaim, as he views the vast 
collection he in common with all his coun- 
trymen possesses, and with his characteristic 
integrity, these are individually our own by 
fair purchase or gift. Sir Robert Cotton 
may be said to have laid the foundation of 
the British Museum, by his presenting his 
excellent collection of manuscripts to tlie 
public; those, and the offer of Sir Hans 
Sloane's books, MSS., and curious articles 
in antiquity and natural history, for 20,0001. 
suggested the propriety of accepting the 
latter, and providing a place for the recep- 
tion of both ; from this time government 
proceeded rapidly in forming the plan, and 
at length every interior regulation for offi- 
cers, trustees, &c. being made, Montague 
House, situated in Russell-street, Blooms- 
MUS 
bury, was purchased for 10,2502. and fitted 
for the reception of the articles then posses- 
sed, and to be bought, at the further ex- 
pense of 14,4842. 6s. 4(2._; after which Lord 
Oxford’s manuscripts were procured for 
10,0002. to which the King added others, 
and since the above period vast numbers of 
interesting things have been placed there, 
particularly Sir William Hamilton s disco- 
veries, a vast variety of valuable medals, 
fossils, minerals, manuscripts, and printed 
books, together with several Egyptian anti- 
quities, and the late Mr. Townley’s marbles 
and bas reliefs from Italy. The latter werg 
given to the public under the express con- 
dition tliat a proper place should be built 
for their reception, which has been com- 
plied with, and they are now exhibited with 
the rest of the museum to an admiring mul- 
titude, amounting daily to upwards of ninety- 
persons. Various alterations have taken 
place in the regulations adopted for the con- 
venience of those who read at the museum, 
and the visitors, since 1757, when it was first 
opened for inspection and study, and it is 
but justice to say, each was intended well, 
though till lately it was generally thought 
that too many impediraeqts existed in the 
way of visiting that which was solely intend- 
ed for the use of the community ; at present, 
however, no such complaint can be made 
with trutli, as any decently dressed persons, 
presenting themselves at certain hours, are 
conducted, free of every kind of expense, 
through the suite of rooms by civil and 
well-informed officers, who explain the uses 
and nature of each object. Admission to 
the reading room is, besides, attended with 
no other difficulty than necessarily follows 
ascertaining whether the applicant is deserv- 
ing of the indulgence, or likely to injure the 
interests of the institution; when there, 
every facility is afforded him by commo- 
dious tables, with pens and ink for writing, 
and a messenger waits to bring him any 
books he may think proper to select from 
the vast stores of literature submitted in this 
generous way to his use. 
MUSES, certain fabulous divinities 
amongst the Pagans, supposed to preside 
over the arts and sciences : for this reason 
it is usual for the poets, at the beginning of 
a poem, to invoke these goddesses to their 
aid. Some reckon the muses to be no more 
than three, viz. Mneme, Aoede, and Melete ; 
that is, memory, singing, and meditation : 
but the most ancient authors, and particu- 
larly Homer and Hesiod, reckon nine ; viz. 
Clio, which means glory ; Euterpe, pleasing ; 
